Eyelet machine



Jan. 31, 1933. c. LOFMAN 1,895,550

EYELET MACHINE Filed March 27, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 31, 1933. c. LOFMAN I 9 EYELET MACHINE Filed March 27. 1931 s Shets-Sheet s w 2720672707. U/ZQpZaY Lafinma,

69 viz Jan. 31, 1933. c. LQFMAN 9 5 EYELET MACHINE Filed March 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 31, 1933. c. LOFMAN 1,395,550

EYELET MACHINE Filed marcn zv, 1951 a Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 31, 1933. c. LOFMAN 1,895,550

EYELET MACHINE Filed March 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 56 0 i l.: fl 0 w (m -x Z5 45 gag/3K; 5 v, 1

Jan. 31, 1933. LOFMAN 1,895,550

EYELET MACHINE Filed March 2'7. 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 C. LOFMAN EYELET MACHINE Jan. 31, 1933.

Filed March 27, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Jaye/Z2 07": CfianZaf Z 0f77aa 1M vi de Patented Jan. 31 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE CHARLES LOFMAN, 0F RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO S. KARPEN & BROS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01 WEST VIRGINIA EYELET LIACHIN E Application filed March 27, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in an eyelet stitching or buttonhole stitching machine.

A primary object of the invention is to proan eyelet stitching machine of simplified construction which may be conveniently operated to stitch eyelets at any desired point in large sheets of fabric, as, for example, mattress covers. Another object of the in- 9 vention is to provide an improved eyelet stitching machine which is equipped with an extensive and unobstructed deck adapted to receive and support the fabrlc which has passed between the eyelet-forming needles.

A further object is to provide improved resser mechanism adapted to preserve the fabric in proper alinement or position on the machine deck. Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side View in elevation of a machine improved in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, an end View in elevation; Fig. 8, an enlarged broken sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. Fig. 4, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 4;

of Fig. 1, and the lower needle mechanism being removed from the view; Fig. 5, a view in elevation of the lower needle mechanism; Fig. 6, a broken plan sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7, an end view of the machine deck; i 8, a broken plan view, the view being taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 1; Fig. 9, a plan view of the eyelet-forming plate, which forms a part of the machine deck; Fig. 10, a sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a bottom plan view of the presser foot; Fig. 12, a sectional view of the presser foot,

the section being taken as indicated at line 12 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a plan view of a mattress cover which has had eyelets formed therein by my improved machine; and Fig. 14, an enlar ed detail view of a portion of the fabric cover in which an eyelet has been formed.

The machine illustrated in the drawings, except for the improvements which will be Serial No. 525,750.

described later in detail, is of a type and of a construction well known in the trade. The machine contains an eccentrically positioned upper needle rotatably and reciprocally mounted and a lower curved needle which is also rotatably mounted and reciprocally guided. The usual looper or lower swinging arm operates in timed relation with the lower needle and the upper needle to form the eyelet stitching in the fabric which is supported by a deck between the needles. The deck which is formed of several plates is given the usual somewhat circular movement in timed relation with the other eyelet forming parts. The mechanism is of well known construction and is electrically driven. Because the construction and operation of the main parts and mechanism of the machine are well known, the description hereinafter will set out the construction and operation of such parts only 111 a general way while the'improvements constituting my invention will be described in greater detail.

The eyelet-forming machines, as they were built prior to my invention, were objectionable particularly in that they did not afford deck space along which quantities of'fabric might be passed. The portion of the deck to the rear of the needles was substantially filled with operating mechanism serving to hold the fabric in position, serving to punch the hole of the eyelet, and serving other purposes. With this form of construction, an eyelet could be formed only along the edge or border of a piece of fabric.

I have improved the machine so as to provide a free and unobstructed fabric deck which extends far to the rear of the needles and affords ample room for the fabric sheet to be passed or gathered. By bunching or gathering the fabric which passes beyond the needles and between the presser members and the deck, any portion of a large fabric sheet may be quickly brought between the operating needles and provided with eyelet or button-hole stitching. My improved presser mechanism enables the fabric to be shifted freely upon the deck until the de-' sired point is brought in alinement with the needles and then to be securely held in position during the stitching operation.

In the illustration given in the drawings, A represents a lower or base casing: A, a vertical casing standard supported at the rear of the lower casing A; A the upper casing member supported by the casing standard A and overhanging the forward portion of casing A; B, the upper needle mechanism; C, the lower needle mechanism; D, the driving mechanism; and E, the deck between the upper and lower needles.

The casing members A, A and A are of a construction well known in the art and specific description thereof app-ears to be unneccessary. The base or lower casing A is shown to be rectangular in shape and adapted to house the lower needle mechanism and most of the driving mechanism. The standard casing A rests upon the rear portion of base casing A and carries the overhanging or upper casing A The usual mechanism for reciprocating the upper needle mechanism is housed within the casing A as will be later described.

The upper needle mechanism B is of a well known construction and will be described only in a general way. The needle shaft 15, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3, is slidably mounted in the casing A and is reciprocated by the crank members 16 which are supported by shaft 17. The shaft 17 is rotated by the usual mechanism (not shown in detail). Shaft 15 in addition to being reciprocally guided is rotatably mounted and is adapted to be turned by gear 18 which is slidably secured thereto. The upper needle 19 is secured to the lower end of shaft 15 and eccentrically to the axis of shaft 15. With this arrangement, the needle 19, upon the rotation of shaft 15 is caused to move in a circular path. The gear 18 is rotated by gear sector 20 which is carried by the pivoted arm 21. A reciprocating shaft 22 pivotally engages a crank arm 23 on the sector arm 21 and serves to swing the sector 20 from one side to the other. This construction is well known and will not be elaborated upon.

The lower needle mechanism C is also of well known construction and detailed description appears to be unnecessary. As shown more clearly in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, the lower or curved needle 24 is rotatably mounted upon disk 25 and is also carried by a swinging arm or crank 26 which enables the needle 24 to be swung upwardly and downwardly along an arcuate path. A looper arm or swinging arm 27 is also supported upon rotatable plat-e 25 and swings in a horizontal circular path to form the loop of the stitch on the underside of the fabric. The rotatable plate 25 is driven by the gear 28 which meshes with a sector arm 29. The crank member 26 is actuated through intermediate connections by a vertical shaft 30 which is reciprocally guided in the casing 31. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the shaft 30 is pivotally connected at 32 to the pivotally connected links 33. A short crank arm 34 connects the links 33 to an eccentric connection 35 on rotatable disk 36. The disk 36 is carried by a shaft 37 which carries a gear 38.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 3, the gear 38 which drives the reciprocating mechanism for needle 24, meshes with the pinion 89 driven by gear 40. The gear 40 is carried by shaft 41 which is rotated by means not shown in detail.

The driving mechanism D serves to rotate the upper needle 19 and the lower needle 24, as well as to produce reciprocating movements of the deck E, as will be described later. The mechanism D is well known and does not require detailed explanation. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, a large gear 42 is driven by pinion 43 which is in turn driven by other well known mechanism (not shown in detail). The gear 42 is provided on its underside and on its upper side with suitable cam grooves. A stud 44 which follows one of the cam grooves actuates a crank arm 45 which in turn'actuates the pivoted arm 46. By this means the sector arm 29 is swung to the right and to the left as gear 42 is rotated. By similar connections, (not shown in detail) with a cam groove in gear 42 the upper arm 22 is reciprocated to swing the sector arm 20 by which the upper needle 19 is rotated.

The foregoing mechanism, because of its well known construction and operation, has been described in a rather general way and just suiliciently to identify it. None of the mechanism is claimed in itself as a part of my invention. I shall now describe more specifically and in greater detail the improvements in which my invention resides and parts of the mechanism with which my improvements are closely associated.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 6, gear 42 is provided on its upper side with cam grooves 47 and 48. In groove 47 a stud 49 is held by swing lever 50. The lever 50 is pivotally connected to frame member 51 at 52 and the free end of the lever is provided with a square lug 53 rotatably secured by pivot 54.

Another stud 55 is held within cam groove 48 by the slotted arm 56 which is pivotally connected to frame 51 at 57. Slidably secured within the slot 58 of arm 56 is a pin 59 which rotatably carries a square lug 60.

The deck E comprises a plurality of plates which are slidably related and which are slidably carried upon frame member 51 and the top wall of easing A. Referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 8, 61 designates a large peripheral frame member or plate guided upon frame member 51 for longitudinal sliding movement. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, the frame plate 61 is provided with a flange projection 61 which engages a groove with which the frame member 51 is provided. The plate is provided with a long slot 62 at its rear side, the slot receiving the square lug 60 carried by the swinging arm 56. Upon rotation of the gear 42 which carries the cam groove 48, the stud 60 is caused to move forwardly and rearwardly and by its engagement with slot 62 causes the plate 61, together with the plates carried thereby, to slide back and forth in a longitudinal plane.

The plate 61 carries near its forward end a transverse rod 63 which is secured in bosses 6d at the sides of the plate. A transversely slidable plate 65 is mounted upon plate 61 and is equipped with perforated lugs 66 through which the rod 63 extends. Rod 63 thus holds plate 61 and plate 65'together in transversely slidable relation.

The inner plate 65 comprises a plurality of connected plates, a rear plate 67, a. pair of complementary middle plates 68, and a front plate 69. In operation, plates 67, 68 and 69 move as a unit. Side or stop lugs 70, which are secured to frame plate 61, limit the lateral movement of the inner plate 65.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, one of the plates 68 is provided on its underside with a guide track 71 adapted to receive the rectangular lug 53 with which arm 50 is provided. Upon the rotation of gear 42, the stud 49, which travels in cam groove 47, gives the lever 50 a swinging movement and the lug 53 is moved back and forth in a lateral direction. By this means, the inner plate 65 is caused to reciprocate laterally while at the same time it is moved forwardly and rearwardly with frame plate 61, the track 71 permitting the lug 53 to slide therein as plate 65 reciprocates longitudinally.

Located centrally of plate 65 and between the two plates 68 is secured a small rectangular eyelet plate 72. This plate is formed with a large aperture 73 through which the upper and lower needles may pass. About the aperture 73 is a knurled or roughened metal floor 74 against which the fabric may be held.

The plates 65 and 61 may be provided with any suitable interlocking connections which will secure the plates together but which will not interfere with the longitudinal and transverse movements of the plates. With the arrangement illustrated, the entire deck E is substantially even and is unobstructed by vertical members which would prevent cloth or fabric from being freely moved along the deck. The deck extends far to the rear of the upper and lower needles and is practically co-extensive with the overhanging casing member A In order to hold the fabric or work in position during the'eyelet forming operation, I provide a presser member 75 whichis provided near its forward end with a bifurcated arm 76 and with a pressed foot 77. The forward portion of the bifurcated arm 76 is bent downwardly so that the presser foot 77 may be brought to rest upon the floor 74 of plate 72 while the major portion of bar 75 remains spaced at some distance above deck E. The presser bar 75 is pinned at its rear end to a pivot rod 78 which is rotatably mounted in bracket members'7 9. Preferably the bracket members 79 are formed integrally with a rear-extension 80 of plate 67. With this construction, the bracket 79, together withthe presser bar 75 moves with the inner plate 65 in both longitudinal and lateral directions.

Secured between the fixed pivot 81 which secures the upper gear sector arm 21 to the easing A anda central portion of the presser member 75 is a spring 82 which normally urges the presser member in a downward direction. By this means, the pressure foot 77 is nor mally held in engagementwith the fabric or work on desk E. The spring 82' at its upper end is provided with an end lug having a pointed extremity which engages a recess in member 81, thus providing a ball and socket connection.

In order to raise the presser foot out of engagement with the fabric, any suitable mechanism may be employed. In the illus tration given, a pivot rod 83 extends through openings in the bracket members 79 and is provided with a cam lug 84. The cam lug 84 upon being rotated engages the rear extension 85 of the member 75 and depresses it thus causing the member 75 to swing about pivot 78. In this manner, the forward end of member 75 and pressure foot 77 are raised. As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 8, the pivot member 83 is provided with a crank arm extension 86 to the end of which is secured a strap or link 87. As shown in Figs.

1 and 2, the link 87 is connected to a hinged or pivoted pedal 88.

Clutch mechanism of well known construction is used to control the starting and stopping of the eyelet-forming mechanism. This clutch mechanism, forming as it does a part of the well known machine construction prior to my invention. is not shown in detail. The actuating lever for the clutch mechanism for merly was supported upon standards secured to the deck. In order to free the deck from an obstruction of this kind. I have provided a new construction by which the lev r is supported by the presser member 7 5. shown more clearly in Figs. 1, ,3. 4: and 8. a bracket support 89 is secured to the top of the presser member 75 and carries a pivot rod 90. Journaled upon the rod 90 is a perforated swing bar 91. The clutch control lever 92 is secured to the swing bar 91. The connections at the inner end of the clutch control lever'92 with well'known clutch members 93 are illustrated in Fig. .1.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 11 and 12, the presser foot 77 is provided with two perforated cars 94 which are secured by bolts to the ends of the bifurcated arms 76. The central portion 95 of the presser foot is in the form of a ring, the opening of which is alined with the opening 73 of plate 72. The outer portion 96 of the ring is preferably stepped downbelow the other portion of the ring and is provided with inclined ridges or corrugations 97 adapted to engage the fabric. This form of contacting surface has been found to hold the fabric securely against the floor 74 of plate 72 during the eyelet stitching operation.

In' the operation of the machine, the electric motors are set in operation and the clutch mechanism released by pressure upon the outer end of bar 92. The following well known operation of the machine then takes place. The upper needle 19 is reciprocated by sliding shaft 15 which is controlled by the crank 16. The crank 16 is actuated by shaft 17 which is driven through intermediate connections by one of the motors. The lower or curved needle 24 is reciprocated by the mechanism driven by shaft 41, which also is actuated through intermediate connections by one of the motors. Rotary movement of both of the needles 19 and 24 is produced by connections with gear 42. which in turn is actuated through intermediate gears and shafts by one of the motors. By means of cam grooves with follower studs thereinand crank connections, the two sector arms and 29 are caused to swing to the right and to the left. The sector 20 engages gear 18 and rotates the needle 19. The sector 29 engages gear 28 which rotates plate and thereby the needle 24 which .is mounted upon plate 25. The looper swing arm 27 is also actuated by mechanism carried by plate 25. At the same time, the deck E is givena sliding movement, the main plate 61 being moved backward and forward and carrying with it the superimposed plate 65. At the same time the inner plate 65 is given a reciprocating lateral movement. The operation of all this mechanism is well known. The parts operate in timed relation and produce a button hole stitch or eyelet in a well known manner.

In the operation of my improved mechanism and the parts of the old machine closely associated therewith, the operator raises the presser foot 77 by pressing upon foot pedal 88 and draws the fabric or work upon the clear or open deck E. The pressure upon pedal 88 turns the crank arm 86 by means of link 87 and forces the cam lug 84 against the rear extension of the presser member 75. The member 75 is thus forced to swing about pivot 78 and presser foot 77 is elevated. The fabric may be drawn rearwardly along the deck E until a point has been reached where it is desired to form an eyelet. The operator then releases the pressure upon pedal 88 and the spring 82 urges the presser foot 77 back into engagement with the work. The control lever 92, which is swivelly connected to the presser member 75, may then be depressed to release the clutch mechanism. The operation of the eyelet-forming machine then proceeds as heretofore described.

In the actuation of the frame plate 61 and the inner plate 65, the reciprocating movements of the plates are produced by connections with cam grooves in gear plate 42. The pivoted lever 56 is given a swinging movement by the travel of lug in cam groove 48. The swinging movement is transmitted through the rectangular block 60 to plate 61, the block 60 engaging the longitudinal groove 62 of plate 61. The free end of bar 50 is given a lateral movement by the travel of stud 49 in cam groove 4". The bar swings about the central pivot 52 and the rectangular block 53 on the end of the lever transmits the lateral movement to the inner plate 65 by engagement with the track 71 on the underside of one of the plates 68. The simultaneous longitudinal and lateral movement of the inner plate causes it to travel in a curved or somewhat circular path, as is Well known in the art.

\Vith the improved machine described, the fabric or work may be moved freely upon the extensive and clear deck E and may be gathered in folds below the presser member 7 5 and clutch actuating bar 92 which are spaced at a convenient distance above the deck floor. A large piece of fabric, such as for example, a mattress cover 98, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 13, may be provided with eyelet stitching at any point therein without much handling or turning of the fabric sheet. The improvements to the machine therefore permit the operator to stitch the eyelets in the cover at any point and as it is moved in any direction upon the deck, thus resulting in a large saving of time and effort.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art. It will be understood, however, that by the term work channel as used in the appended claims, I mean the space between the casing parts, that is, the lower or base casing, the vertical casing or standard at the one end of the base casing, and the overhanging casing supported by the vertical casing.

' I claim:

1. In a machine of the character set forth, a casing comprising a base casing a vertical casing portion at one end thereof and an overhead casing carried by said vertical casing,

said casing members affording a work channel therebetween, eyelet-stitching mechanism supported by said casing and including up per and lower needles, a slidably mounted apertured deck carried by said base casing and extending substantially the length of said work channel, and a presser member secured to a perimetrical portion of said deck and adapted to engage the work at a point adjacent said needles, said presser member and deck affording a space between them along which said work may e freely passed.

2. A machine of the character set forth, comprising a casing comprising a base casing, a vertical casing at one end thereof, and an overhead casing carried by said vertical casing, said casing members affording between them a U-shaped work channel, eyeletstitching mechanism supported by said casing, said mechanism including upper and lower needles, a deck supported by said base casing and provided with an aperture through which said needles may pass, said deck extending substantially the length of said work channel said deck being also provided with a main plate and with an inner plate carried by said main plate, said main plate being slidably secured to said casing so as to move longitudinally of the casing axis and said inner plate being slidably mounted in said main plate so as to slide transversely thereof, means for reciprocating said main plate longitudinally of said casing, means for reciprocating said inner plate transversely of said main-plate, and a presser member secured to an edge portion of said inner plate and adapted to engage the work at a point adjacent said needles.

3. A machine of the character set forth, comprising a casing comprising a base casing, a vertical casing at one end thereof, and an overhead casing, said casing members affording between them a U-shaped work channel, eyelet-stitching mechanism supported by said casing and including an upper needle and a lower needle, a deck supported by said base casing and provided with an aperture through which said needles may pass, said deck extending substantially the length of said work channel and being free from vertical obstructions, and a presser member secured to said deck at its rear edge portion and adapted to engage the work at a point adjacent said aperture.

4. In a machine of the character set forth. a casing comprising a base casing, a vertical casing at one end thereof, and an overhead casin supported by said vertical casing, said casing members affording between them a U- shaped work channel, curved-stitch forming mechanism supported thereby, said mechanism including upper and lower needles, a deck supported by said base casing and provided with an aperture through which said needles may pass, said deck being slidably mounted and extending substantially the length of said work channel, clutch mecha nism adapted to control the starting of said stitching mechanism, a clutch control bar extending over said deck, a presser member supported above said deck in spaced relation therewith, and means connected to said presser member for supporting said clutch control bar above said deck, said presser and said control bar providing between them and the deck a free space along which work may be passed.

5. In a machine of the character set forth, a casing comprising a base casing, a vertical casing at one end thereof, and an overhead casing carried by said vertical casing, said casing members affording between them a U-shaped work channel, curved-stitch form ing mechanism supported by said casing, a deck adapted to support the fabric passing through said stitching mechanism, said deck being slidably mounted and extending substantially the length of said work channel and a presser member adapted to engage said fabric to maintain it in position, said presser member comprising a long bar having a downwardly curved end, a presser foot secured to said curved end of the bar, a bracket secured to said deck, a pivot connecting an intermediate portion of said bar to said bracket, and means for exerting pressure upon the rear end of said bar to raisethe curved end thereof.

6. In a machine of the character set forth, a casing comprising a base casing, a vertical casing at one end thereof, and an overhead casing carried by the vertical casing, said casing members affording between U-shaped work channel, eyelet-stitching mechanism supported by said casing, a deck carried by said base casing and adapted to support fabric for the eyelet stitching operation, said deck being slidably mounted and extending substantially the length of said work channel a presser member adapted to engage said fabric, said presser member comprising a bar pivotally supported 'on' said deck, a presser foot carried at the forward end of said bar and adapted to engage the fabric, a spring normally urging said presser member in a downward direction, and means for raising said presser member against the force of said spring. 7. In a machine of the character set forth, a casing comprising a base casing and an overhead casing, said overhead casing being supported by a vertical casing at one end of said base casing and affording with said base and vertical casing members a substantially U-shaped work channel, eyelet stitching mechanism supported by said casing, a deck carried by said base casing and adapted to support the fabric in which eyelets are to be stitched, said deck being slidably mounted and extending substantially the length of said them a work channel, a presser member pivotally supported above said deck, a spring pivotally engaging said upper casing and resting upon the top wall of said presser member and normally urging said presser member in a clownward direction, and means for raisin said presser member against the force of said sprmg.

8. In a machine of the character set forth, a casing comprising a base casing and an overhead casing eyelet stitching mechanism supported by said casing, said overhead casing being supported by a vertical casing at one end of said base casing and affording with the other casing members a substantially U-shaped work channel, a deck carried by said base casing and adapted to support the fabric in which eyelets are to be stitched, said deck being slidably mounted and extending substantially the length of said work channel, a presser member pivotally supported above said deck, aspring pivotally engaging said upper casing and resting upon the top Wall of said presser member and normally urging said presser member in a downward direction, and means for raising said presser member against the force of said spring, said means including a foot-operated pedal member.

9. In a machine of the character set forth, a casing comprising a base casing, a vertical casing at one end thereof, and an overhead casing carried by the vertical casing, said casing members affording between them a work channel, eyelet stitching mechanism supported by said casing, said mechanism including an upper needle and a lower needle, a deck supported by said base casing and provided with an aperture through which said needles may pass, said deck being slidably mounted and extending substantially the length of said work channel, said deck being provided with a roughened floor adjacent said aperture, and a presser member equipped with a presser foot adapted to engage the fabric above said floor, said presser foot being provided on its under surface with inclined corrugations.

10. A machine of the character set forth, comprising a casing including a base casing, a vertical casing carried at one end thereof, and an overhead casing supported by the vertical casing, said casing members affording between them a work channel, eyelet forming mechanism carried by said'casing and including an upper needle and a lower needle, a deck supported by said base casing and extending substantially the length of said work channel, said deck comprising a plurality ofslidably mounted plates and being provided with an aperture through which said needles may pass, means housed within said casing for reciprocating said plates in timed relation with said needles, and a presser member connected to one of said plates near the rear of said deck and adapted to releas ably engage the fabric at a point adjacent said needles, said presser member and deck affording between them a free space along which said fabric may be passed.

11. In a machine of the character set forth comprising, a casing including a base casing, a vertical casing supported at one end thereof and an overhead casing carried by the vertical casing, said casing members affording between them a work channel, an eyelet-stitching mechanism carried by the casing, said mechanism including upper and lower needles, the improvement which includes a deck slidably mounted on said base casing, said deck being substantially free throughout its length of vertical obstructions and extending substantially the length of said work channel, and a presser member secured to the rear edge portion of said deck and adapted to releasably engage the fabric which is passed through said stitching mechanism.

12. In an eyelet-stitching machine for the purpose set forth: a frame comprising a base, a standard rising from the rear portion of said base, and an arm extending forwardly from said standard and spaced above said base; cooperating eyeletinechanism mounted respectively on the free end of said arm and in said base; a work-support mounted on said base and spaced a distance below said arm, said work support ext-ending substantially the length of said arm'; and a pressure device having jointed connection with the work support adjacent the base portion of said standard, space being preserved between said presser device and said work-support, wherein the fabric may be rolled or shirred.

13. A machin e as specified in claim 12, in

which the work-support comprises a plate movably mounted on said base and in which the presser device is jointedly mounted on the rear portion of said plate.

14. A machine as specified in claim 12, in which the work-support comprises a lower plate movable longitudinally on said base and an upper plate mounted on and movable transversely with relation to said lower plate,

and in which said pressure device has its rear end portion pivotally connected with the rear end portion of said upper plate.

15. In an eyelet-stitching machine forthe purpose set forth: a casing comprising upper and lower members aflording between them a substantially U-shaped channel; cooperating stitching mechanisms spaced with relation to each other in said casing and adapted to cooperate in performing eyeletstitching; a slidably mounted intervening work support extending substantially the length of said channel; and a presser device mounted on the rear of said work support and affording between it and the work support a free space wherein fabric may be rolled or shirred.

16. In an eyelet-stitching machine for the purpose set forth: a casing comprising upper and lower members which afiord between them a substantially U-shaped channel; cooperating stitching mechanisms spaced with relation to each other in said casing and adapted to cooperate in performing eyeletstitching; a slida'oly mounted intervening work support carried by said casing and extending substantially the length of said channel; a clutch member; a presser device pivotally mounted on the rear of said work support and extending forwardly and downwardly to engage the fabric, and a clutch 1ever connected to said clutch and pivotally connected at an intermediate point to said presser device. 29 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of March, 1931.

CHARLES LOFMAN. 

